Advent is a time to wait, not quite time to celebrate. Light the candles one by one, ’til this Advent time is done. Christmas Day will soon be here, time for joy and time for cheer.

-Folk Song (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)

Pregnancy is a time of waiting. Of expectation. Of knowing the world is about to be forever changed, but not knowing what that wil look like, , It is a time when you are inhabiting the already-but-not-yet. You are already a parent. But not yet holding a child. You are already encumbered, but not yet knowing the full extent of teh changes awaiting you. You are already totally in love, but you haven’t yet memorized that precious face you are imagining.

When pregnant, women are also still. Inhabiting a very physical reality. Doing less, sick more, tired, feeling aches and body parts they haven’t been aware of in the past. It is a time of nesting, huddling up at home and deliberately decreasing the demands on time, work, and mental clutter.

Imagine Mary, living a life beyond her plans. Pregnant, in a life that is different than she could have possibly pictured. Travelling, great with child, uncomfortable, scared, lonely. In a strange land and strange circumstances. Getting ready to deliver a dream and a hope and a child that will change the world forever. Owning that truth, yet unable to even begin to picture what that means.

In so many ways, 2020 has been the same for us. We are still, waiting. Feeling cut off from the world of before, but not yet able to visualize the world that will be next. We try to imagine what the world after COVID will look like, but we cannot. We are too mired in the right now, in the fear and the reality.

But what if we choose to inhabit hope? What if we elect to believe that we have agency in creating the world after social distance? What would you choose to create? A life with less things to do, and more people to spend time with? A life with less quantity of obligations, and more invitations to quality time? A life where simple acts, like having someone to dinner or sitting in a coffeeshop, are not taken for granted?

What if we choose to create a future where the weak and the old and the sick are taken care of? Where we live in a society where we know we will do what it takes to protect the lives of the medically fragile? What if we not only protect their lives, but also fight for their health care, quality of life, and ways to meaningfully connect with society and give their time and talents back?

Pregnancy is a time of imagination. Of hope, and of patience-training. The same goes for Advent. Despite the commercialization of Christmas, we all still know the breathless anticipation of this time of year. We all feel that sense of something wonderful brewing, of a time of great joy and love and celebration looming nearer. This year, this Advent, let’s intentionally inhabit hope, not only for the leadup to Christmas, but in picturing our world in the future. What hope are you cherishing for life in the after?